JP2542363B2 - Method and apparatus for pneumatically transferring articles in the tobacco processing industry - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for pneumatically transferring rod-shaped articles, in particular filter rods, from a rotating feed drum via a transfer conduit from a feeding station to a receiving station in the tobacco processing industry.

The concept of "bar-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry" is
Is there a filter other than the filter rod?
Alternatively, it means a cigarette, a cigarillo, or a cigar which is not provided, and the present invention is equally applicable to all of them.

In the production of rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry, the rod-shaped article or individual elements of the rod-shaped article are transferred from one place to another via pneumatic transfer conduits.

Such pneumatic transfer is performed in a wide range in transferring the filter rod from the central storage to the so-called filter mounting machine.

A feeding station, i.e. a device for removing a filter rod from a reservoir and delivering it to a pneumatic transfer conduit, is already known from the Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 3,827,757.

Similarly, a device for removing the impeller filter rods from the pneumatic transfer conduit and loading these filter rods into a storage container from which the filter rods are subsequently fed with filter rods-is also a device of the applicant. It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,972 (our reference number 28383).

In such pneumatic transfer devices, filter rods or other rod-shaped articles, which are provided in the pneumatic transfer conduit at regular time intervals, do not arrive at the receiving station in a corresponding time sequence, but rather in the transfer conduit. It is known that they get together in groups. Since the filter rods or rod-shaped articles will be grouped together,
It is not possible to easily load the rod-shaped articles to be transferred into the transfer conduit at the time intervals at which they are taken out of the consumer, for example the storage provided at the other end for loading into the filter loader. Is.

Therefore, as long as the filling condition of the storage container installed in the receiving station is below a certain level, the amount of transferred substance per unit time in the transfer conduit is larger than the expected maximum consumption. Have been charged to.

The monitoring device in the storage container responds when the filling level exceeds a certain height level or drops below a certain lower level, in which case the control device operated by the monitoring device controls the delivery amount. For regulation, cooperate with the feeding station so that the transfer is interrupted, especially if the amount is exceeded, and restarted if the amount is dropped.

According to DE-A 1,900,149, interference with the transfer process itself, for example a temporary suspension of the transfer device, is avoided as follows. That is, the feeding station is provided with a locking device that delays the feeding of the rod-shaped article, and this locking device is interlocked with the operating element,
This operating device can be switched to a position where a small amount of feed substance is fed per unit time when the predetermined amount of feed substance is exceeded by the control device, and when it falls below the predetermined amount of feed substance, It is returned to the stop position.

That is, the block device is connected when the predetermined amount of feed material is exceeded without changing the normal on / off operation drive mode of the transfer device itself, so that the articles sent from the feeding station to the feed path are small per unit time. Limited to a certain amount.

However, the formation of large swarms of articles within the transfer conduit, which causes a decrease in the transfer rate and even clogging of the transfer conduit, remains a problem. Accordingly, the length of the transfer section considered to be able to overcome the above problems-up to 300 m
There is an obvious limit in terms of-.

The problem underlying the present invention is that the pneumatic transfer of rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry allows longer transfer sections to be used while avoiding the formation of groups of articles of minimum size in the transfer conduit, and rod-shaped articles. Is to improve the normal on-off work drive scheme so that a larger passage of

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, the above object is to add a timing drive to the feeding station, which gives a timing of alternating action between the feeding phase and the stopping phase to the feeding of the article, in contrast to the normal on / off work driving mode. Will be solved by.

Further, according to the present invention, in order to change the feeding rate, the number of revolutions of the feeding drum is kept constant, and the ratio of the duration of the feeding phase to the duration of the stop phase is changed.

Moreover, according to the present invention, in order to change the feeding rate, the ratio of the duration of the feeding phase to the duration of the stop phase is kept constant, and the rotation number of the feeding drum is changed.

An apparatus for carrying out the above method is provided according to the invention for timing the feed station, depending on the manganese filling level of the receiving station, for the duration of the feed phase and for the duration of the stop phase. A timing register is provided which gives the feeding station a signal corresponding to the required feeding rate.

According to another characteristic of the invention, at least two measuring transducers are provided for detecting the filling level of the magazine of the receiving station.

Due to the possible design of the invention, the measuring transducer is embodied as a photocoupler.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the timing of the feeding station takes place in a shut-off device for the supply of articles which is activated or stopped in response to the signal of the timing register.

A further feature of the device according to the invention is that the timing register is connected on the input side via an AND-gate to all measuring converters, one amplifier at the output of each measuring converter. The output signal of the amplifier is input to one threshold circuit, the output of the threshold circuit is connected to the input terminal of each AND-gate, and the timing register outputs. It is connected to a switching relay that activates a switch mechanism for connecting and disconnecting the disconnecting device on the side via an OR element.

According to the invention, the feed drum of the feed station is driven by a motor whose speed is controlled via a control device which is connected to the measuring transducer.

This fundamental work cycle means that the feeder is timed even when maximum delivery rates are required.

Despite the timing of the feeding device, a relatively high passage of rod-shaped articles is generally possible. This is because the formation of large groups of articles in the transfer conduit and the resulting reduction in transfer velocity is avoided.

Furthermore, this makes it possible to traverse longer transfer sections, ie sections above 300 m. Further, by the method according to the present invention, the feed amount of the rod-shaped article is changed to the take-out amount without changing the speed of the feeding station and by changing the rotation number of the feeding drum while maintaining a constant pulse duty ratio. It is possible to balance. Further, it is possible to eliminate the disturbance in the receiving station without having to switch to the manual work.

The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The pneumatic feed system for the filter rod comprises, according to FIG. 1, a feeding station 1 and a receiving station 2, which two stations are connected to one another via a pneumatic transfer conduit 3.

The feeding station 1 is provided with a filter rod 6 and a storage container 7
It consists of a feed drum 4 which is taken out of and brought to a drop position in front of the pneumatic transfer conduit 3.

In the transfer conduit 3, the filter rod 6 is fed by compressed air in the direction of the longitudinal axis and is supplied to the receiving station 2.

The receiving station 2 comprises an accelerating device 8, which accelerates a filter rod 6 arriving in the direction of the longitudinal axis at a constant speed first, and then accelerates it while forming a uniform gap, and a belt gripping and pushing device. 9, and the belt gripping and pushing device feeds the filter rod 6 into the magazine 12 through the chute 11 in the direction of the horizontal axis. Next, the filter rod 6 is supplied from the magazine 12 to the consumer unit, here the filter mounting machine 13.

The feeding station 1 with the feeding drum 4 is the second
Further details are shown in FIGS.

The feeding station is the applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 3,827,757.
The subject matter of the publication is described in detail there.

The feeding drum 4 comprises a housing 14 whose peripheral surface is formed as a trough for the filter rod 6, which housing is oriented parallel to a rotation axis 16 of the feeding drum 4. The feeding drum 4, which is continuously driven in the direction of the arrow 17 (FIG. 3), takes out the filter rods 6 from the storage container 7 in the first area A and, as already mentioned, removes these filter rods. Delivered into the second area B, in which the filter rod is connected to the pneumatic transfer conduit 3
(Fig. 1) is inserted through a line 18 which is fixed in the longitudinal direction.

For this purpose, a first compressed air conduit 23 and a second compressed air conduit 24 consist of a branched line 22 and a compressed air source 19 connected via a conduit 21. The compressed air system that has not been detailed works. In this case, the compressed air is supplied via the compressed air conduit 24 to the area 14a of the housing 14 in front of and behind the filter rod 6 which is located in the housing 14 moving to the respective drop position. 14b
Helps balance the pressure between. This avoids a shocking movement of the filter rod 6 by the compressed air prevailing in the compressed air transfer conduit 3 in the direction opposite to its intended feed direction. Compressed air conduit
The filter rod 6 in each case via 23
As soon as 14 is in line with the line 18 and thus with the transfer conduit, it is loaded in the feed direction, ie in the direction of line 18.

A blocking device 26 is provided to block the removal of the filter rod 6 from the storage container 7. This breaker is made of a flexible material such as rubber and has a controllable electromagnet
It comprises a holding element 28 operated at 27.

The blocking action occurs when the retaining element 28 is moved towards the end face of the filter rod 6 below the wall 7a and is pressed against the wall 7a of the storage container 7 facing the filter rod.

The collection station 2 is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 4 and 5, which is the applicant's US Pat. No. 3,608,972.
It is the subject of the invention of the official gazette (our reference number 28383) and is explained in detail there.

The filter rods 6 coming through the pneumatic transfer conduit 3 are, as already mentioned at the outset, first the accelerator 8
After passing through (Fig. 5), the filter rod in this accelerator is first adjusted by the driven friction roller pair 29,31 to a constant speed corresponding to the peripheral speed of these friction rollers 29,31. The filter rod is then fed to another friction roller pair 32, 33 which rotates at a higher peripheral speed. The friction rod pair 32, 33 accelerates the filter rod 6,
This creates a constant axial spacing between the filter rods 6. The accelerated filter rod 6 reaches the inside of the guide line 36 through the outlet opening 34, and the wedge-shaped guide portion 38.
Slide on the guide surface 37 of. The filter rod 6 is lifted at its front end by the wedge-shaped guide portion 38 and introduced into the feed chute 39 (FIG. 4). Here, the belt gripping and pushing device 9 further feeds the filter rod 6 in the direction of the horizontal axis, so that the filter rod 6 reaches the magazine 12 via the chute 11. The gripping and pushing device 9 by means of a belt consists essentially of a pair of driven belts 41, 42, which are moved via rollers 43, 44 and 46, 47 and which have their opposite belt feed sides. The filter rod 6 is captured at 48 and 49.

In order to carry out the method according to the invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a downward measuring transducer and an upward measuring transducer in the form of photocouplers 51a, 51b and 52a, 52b for detecting the level in the magazine 12 are now shown. Is provided. Each of these measuring transducers has a threshold circuit via one amplifier 53 and 54 respectively.
56 and 57, and the outputs of these amplifiers are connected to AND-gates 58 and 59, respectively. AND-gates 58 and 59 are also connected to the timing registers 61 and 62 for different feed rates, the outputs of these feed rates are input to the OR element 63, and this OR-gate is on the output side. Is connected to the switching relay 64 via the switching relay 64, and the switch 66 for connecting and disconnecting the disconnecting device 26 for feeding the filter rod in the feeding station 1 can be operated.

 The timing drive for feeding is as follows.

The number of rotations of the feed drum 4 is adjusted to the maximum possible feed power for the uninterrupted feed of the filter rod 6.

Detection of the level in the magazine 12 signals that this level lies below the lower photocouplers 51a, 51b, in which case a high delivery rate is required.

Both photocouplers 51a, 51b and 52a, 52b then generate an open-signal, so that via the AND-gate 58 the timing register 61 is actuated with a slow feed phase T1 and a short stop phase 72 and thus an OR. A signal is input via the gate 63 to the changeover relay 64, the switch 66 disconnecting the disconnect device 26 for the feeding phase T1 delivering the filter rod and the stop phase T2 for interrupting the delivery of the filter rod. Disconnecting device 26 is connected.

When the high filling level in the magazine 12, for example the lower photocouplers 51a, 51b are already shielded, but the upper photocouplers 52a, 52b are still open, the required feed rate is reached. Is very small. At that time, a light-blocking-signal is issued from the lower photocouplers 51a and 52b, and an open-signal is issued from the upper photocouplers 52a and 52b.
Therefore, via the AND-gate 59, the timing register 62 is changed correspondingly to this timing register 62.
Operated by T1 and stop phase T2. Considering the low required delivery rate, the timing register 62 has a relatively short delivery phase T1 and a correspondingly long stop phase T2. The feed station 1, i.e. its shut-off device 26, is always timed, so that an increase in the passage of the filter rod 6 is generally achieved despite the interruption of the feed.

By shifting the ratio of the duration of the feeding phase T1 to the duration of the stopping phase T2, it is possible to change the feeding rate and thus balance the filter supply with the take-out.

Of course, the use of more than two timing registers and the provision of a timing register with stepless adjustability of the feed and stop phases T1, T2 to allow very good adjustment of the feed rate It is also possible to do so.

Furthermore, if the ratio of the duration of the feeding phase T1 to the duration of the stopping phase T2 is kept constant, the change in the feeding rate can be achieved by changing the rotational speed of the feeding drum 4 of the feeding station 1. For this purpose, a motor 68 whose rotational speed is controllable is provided for driving the feed drum 4, as shown in phantom in FIG. 1, which is a measuring transducer, here photocouplers 51a, 51b and 52a. , 52b is controlled via the control device 67 connected to.

The feed rate of the feed station 1 is changed by a combination of the two embodiments, i.e. by simultaneously changing the ratio of the duration of the feed phase T1 to the duration of the stop phase T2 and the rotational speed of the feed drum. Is also possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a schematic view of a pneumatic feed system for a filter rod shown together with a control circuit, FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of a feed station of the feed system, and FIG. 3 is a section line III-III of FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG. 4, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG. The reference numerals in the figure are: 1 ... feeding station, 2 ... collection station, 26
…… Breaker 53, 54 …… Amplifier, 56, 57 …… Threshold circuit, 61, 62 ……
Timing register, 58, 59 ... AND-gate

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Rudolf Bostelmann, Federal Republic of Germany, Geesthaft, Schütteringer Schutteik, 6 (72) Inventor, Olaf Bourmestel, Federal Republic of Germany, Schwartzenberg, Erbinger Strasse, 40 ( 72) Inventor Alois Kasparek, Federal Republic of Germany, Hamburg 70, Siuttehuantstraße, 153 (56) References Japanese Patent Publication No. 47-16940 (JP, B1) US Patent 3827757 (US, A) Shigemi Kajiwara et al. Fluid Conveyor [Conveyor Series 3], "Showa 34, Yakumo Shoten Co., Ltd., pages 31-36

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method for pneumatically transferring rod-shaped articles, in particular filter rods, from a rotating feed drum via a transfer conduit from a feed station to a receiving station in the tobacco processing industry, the feed station (1). In contrast to its normal on-off work drive mode, a timing drive is added to feed an article, which always gives a timing of an alternating action between a feeding phase (T1) and a stopping phase (T2), A method for pneumatically transferring rod-shaped articles, in particular filter rods, in the tobacco processing industry from a feeding station to a receiving station by means of a transport conduit. 2. The rotation speed of the feeding drum is kept constant in order to change the feeding rate, and the stop phase (T1) of the duration of the feeding phase (T1) is changed.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of 2) to the duration is changed. 3. The ratio of the duration of the feeding phase (T1) to the duration of the stationary phase (T2) is kept constant to change the feeding rate, and the rotation number of the feeding drum is changed. The method according to claim 1. 4. An apparatus for pneumatically transferring rod-shaped articles, in particular filter rods, from a rotating feed drum via a transfer conduit from a feed station to a collection station in the tobacco processing industry, said feed station (1). The timing registers (61, 62) are provided for timing the data, and these timing registers are required for the feeding station (1) depending on the filling level of the magazine (12) of the receiving station (2). The duration of the feeding phase (T1) and the stop phase (T) corresponding to the feeding rate
Device for pneumatically transferring rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter rods, from a feeding station to a receiving station by a transfer conduit, characterized in that it is arranged to give a signal as to the duration of 2). . 5. The magazine (12) of the collection station (2)
Device according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one measuring transducer is provided for detecting the filling level of the. 6. The measurement converter comprises a photo coupler (51a, 51b and 52).
A device according to claim 5 formed as a, 52b). 7. The timing of the feeding station (1) corresponds to the signal of the timing register (61, 62) and the stop phase (T2) is activated or the feeding phase (T1) is deactivated. Claims 4 to 6, which are arranged to be carried out in a shut-off device (26) for the supply of articles according to claim 4.
The apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 10. 8. A timing register (61; 62) is connected on its input side to all measuring transducers via an AND gate (58; 59), each output of this measuring transducer. Each of them is connected to one amplifier (53; 54), the output signal of the measuring converter is input to each one threshold circuit (56; 57), and the output terminals of these threshold circuits are respectively connected. It is connected to the AND-gate (58,59) inputs and the timing register (61,62) is CR on its output side.
-A switching relay (64) which operates a switch (66) for connecting and disconnecting the disconnecting device (26) via the gate (63).
A device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, which is connected to the device. 9. A feeding drum (4) of the feeding station (1) is driven by a motor (68) whose speed is controlled via a control device (67) connected to the measuring transducer. A device according to any one of claims 4 to 8 which is constructed.